Fracking film to be shown on Thursday

The public is invited to a showing of "Gasland Part II" at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Rock Falls Public Library, sponsored by the Rock River Open Forum. Time will be available for a frank discussion of the film’s content. Admission is free. We always enjoy having diverse opinions and fruitful interactions.

"Gasland," produced in 2010, was previously shown; "Gasland Part II" was produced in 2013.

The initial Oscar-nominated documentary "Gasland" followed director Josh Fox’s journey across the United States as he examined the negative effects of natural gas drilling known as fracking. He identified the following problems:

• Contamination of ground water by multiple, complex chemicals including methane, a greenhouse gas 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide;

• Health issues that cause many residents to abandon their homes;

• Safe disposal of the contaminated water;

• Secrecy regarding the nature and identities of the numerous very potent chemicals that are introduced into the water that is injected into the ground; and

• Collusion between fracking companies and state/federal governments.

"Gasland Part II" is much more comprehensive and current. Some of the relevant concerns include:

• National policy of using more fracked gas;

• Control of our government by a tiny economic elite;

• Export of fracked gas;

• Exploration and harvesting of fracked gas throughout the world;

• Global warming and effects on the planet’s flora and fauna;

• Speed with which actions are taken without studying possible consequences;

• Lack of investment in renewable sources such as solar and wind energy; and